WTEN Ch. 10, the ABC affiliate in Albany, slashed as many as 20 jobs today, including several prominent on-air personalities.
Anchor Alyssa Van Wie, sports director Brian Sinkoff, reporter John Craig and meteorologist Chris Gloninger were among those who lost their jobs, according to sources with knowledge of the layoffs.
(Times Union sportswriter Pete Doughterty talked with Brian Sinkoff on the layoff on his Sports Media Blog .)
It was not immediately clear exactly how many employees were let go at the station, though one source reported knowing of at least nine cuts.
The cuts appear to be an attempt by Young Broadcasting Inc., the troubled New York City-based owner of WTEN, to quickly cut costs.
Media reports have the company, which owns of 10 TV stations nationally, cutting jobs at other properties, including KWQC in Iowa and WKRN in Nashville.
Company Chairman Vincent Young and WTEN General Manager Rene LaSpina did not return phone calls seeking comment.
ALBANY — About 10 employees of Albany television station WTEN (Channel 10) — including four onair personalities — lost their jobs Tuesday during a day-long session of layoffs. Station personnel said sports director Brian Sinkoff, weekend morning anchor Alyssa Van Wie, reporter John Craig and meteorologist Chris Gloninger lost positions. Craig had worked at WTEN since 2000. Van Wie joined the station in 2004, while Sinkoff and Gloninger had been on staff since 2005 and 2007, respectively. Longtime WTEN reporter John McLoughlin, who has been on medical leave, remains on the station’s roster. WTEN is among 11 television stations owned by New York City-based Young Broadcasting Inc. Earlier this month, the company announced plans to sell its largest station, KRON-TV in San Francisco. Young bought the station in 1989 for $823 million; at the time, it was believed to be the highest price ever paid for a television broadcast property. Company Chairman Vincent Young could not be reached for comment Tuesday night to discuss the Albany cuts. WTEN General Manager Rene LaSpina did not return a phone call on the matter.
I don't think that I have ever watched WTEN. I'm a WNYT news person myself. And I don't really watch WRGB much either. I mean how many local news stations do we need here? Let's not forget that we also have Channel 9 which is on 24/7 and the radio that has the news every 1/2 hour. Then there are the major cable news stations such as FOX, CNN, MSNBC..... and so on. Talk about reality tv. Ya got it all there!!!
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
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